Article
Entomology
Chu Wang, Ping-Jui Sung, Chung-Chi Lin, Fuminori Ito, Johan Billen
Summary: Similar to wasps and bees, ants can produce males through parthenogenesis. However, some ant species, including six species in the genus Strumigenys, can also produce females through parthenogenesis. These species retain a functional reproductive system and spermatheca, which allows them to mate with males when encountered, increasing the genetic variability of their offspring. This mode of reproduction gives a significant advantage to tramp species when establishing colonies in new environments.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Benjamin-Florian Hempel, Maik Damm, Daniel Petras, Taline D. Kazandjian, Claudia A. Szentiks, Guido Fritsch, Grit Nebrich, Nicholas R. Casewell, Oliver Klein, Roderich D. Sussmuth
Summary: This study investigates the spatial exploration of a snake venom gland system using MALDI-MSI and proteotranscriptomic approaches. The results reveal high spatial heterogeneity of different toxin classes at the proteoform level, suggesting potential venom modulation under diverse stimuli.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Benjamin-Florian Hempel, Maik Damm, Daniel Petras, Taline D. Kazandjian, Claudia A. Szentiks, Guido Fritsch, Grit Nebrich, Nicholas R. Casewell, Oliver Klein, Roderich D. Sussmuth
Summary: We used MALDI-MSI and proteotranscriptomic approaches to explore the snake venom gland system and map the spatial distribution of toxins in the Egyptian cobra. Our findings reveal a high spatial heterogeneity of different toxin classes at the proteoform level, suggesting the potential for venom modulation under diverse stimuli.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Freek J. Vonk, Matyas A. Bittenbinder, Harald M. Kerkkamp, Dwin G. B. Grashof, John P. Archer, Sandra Afonso, Michael K. Richardson, Jeroen Kool, Arie van der Meijden
Summary: Scorpion venoms are complex mixtures with potential medical applications. This study presents a novel method for generating scorpion venom gland transcriptomes without sacrificing animals, allowing for in-depth analysis of toxin gene activation patterns over time and evaluation of factors influencing venom composition.
Article
Fisheries
S. Yedier
Summary: The main objective of this study was to analyze the abnormal status in the sagitta morphology of Trachinus draco in the Black Sea. Through the use of Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and light microscopy, abnormalities in the otoliths of T. draco were detected. The study found that 52.5% of T. draco individuals had abnormal otoliths, and there were statistically significant differences in the measurements of weight, perimeter, and width between abnormal and normal otoliths.
JOURNAL OF ICHTHYOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Julieta Vasquez-Escobar, Teresa Romero-Gutierrez, Jose Alejandro Morales, Herlinda C. Clement, Gerardo A. Corzo, Dora M. Benjumea, Ligia Luz Corrales-Garcia
Summary: The transcriptome analysis of the venom glands of Phoneutria depilata spider revealed potentially coding transcripts for venom components, including neurotoxins, enzymes, growth factors, clotting factors, and a diuretic hormone. Proteomic analysis confirmed the correlation between protein sequences found in the transcriptome and active protein bands in the venom. This study provides a deeper understanding of the protein components in P. depilata venom, which could lead to the identification of novel molecules for the treatment of human diseases or the development of bioinsecticides.
Article
Entomology
Antoine Guiguet, John F. Tooker, Andrew R. Deans, Istvan Miko, Gang Ning, Szabina Schweger, Heather M. Hines
Summary: Research has found that herbivorous insects capable of inducing galls have greatly expanded secretory organs, while non-gall-inducing species have reduced secretory organs. Variations in the size of venom glands, accessory glands, and their contents suggest that gall formation employs a diversity of molecular strategies across different gall-inducing lineages.
INSECT SYSTEMATICS AND DIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Florencia Evelyn Rodriguez, Gabriela Beatriz Olea, Maria Victoria Aguirre, Maria Antonella Argoitia, Juan Claver, Daniel Marcelo Lombardo
Summary: This study investigates the structure and composition of the gular glands in three bat species during their reproductive season. It reveals that the size and composition of the gland are influenced by the lipid content and identifies mechanoreceptors associated with the gland's duct surface. The study also proposes a new classification for the gland and discusses its implications in the reproductive behavior of the Molossidae family.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Min Wang, Ping Xu, Zizhong Yang, Minzhen Si
Summary: In this study, Raman microspectroscopy was used to analyze the secondary structure of proteins in spider venom. The venom glands were found to be a preferable alternative for venom research. By analyzing the Raman peaks and relative intensity ratios, the eight spider species could be preliminarily classified. Raman spectroscopy proved to be an effective and reliable method for studying spider venom glands.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Haruhiko Yamazaki, Ryohei Katoh, Kiminori Sugino, Kenichi Matsuzu, Chie Masaki, Junko Akaishi, Kiyomi Yamada Hames, Chisato Tomoda, Akifumi Suzuki, Keiko Ohkuwa, Wataru Kitagawa, Mitsuji Nagahama, Yasushi Rino, Koichi Ito
Summary: This study found a correlation between the extent of invasion and prognosis in patients with encapsulated angioinvasive follicular thyroid carcinoma. Patients with two or more foci of vascular invasion, especially those aged 55 years and above, should be closely monitored.
ANNALS OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Carine Sauger, Jerome Quinquis, Clothilde Berthelin, Melanie Lepoittevin, Nicolas Elie, Laurent Dubroca, Kristell Kellner
Summary: This study used histology and stereology to estimate the sexual maturity phase of the European Plaice and described the oogenesis cycle and size at first maturity. It provides a method for accurately determining a key parameter for fisheries management that may be applicable to other species.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Dobrochna Adamek-Urbanska, Maciej Kamaszewski, Wiktoria Wiechetek, Rafal Wild, Julia Boczek, Adrian Szczepanski, Jerzy Sliwinski
Summary: The diets of ornamental aquaculture and aquarium fish can significantly affect their health and welfare. This study analyzed the digestive tract structure of two Anabantoidei fishes, African bush fish and paradise fish, and found that the African bush fish is better adapted to carnivorous feeding. These results will contribute to the development of better feeding strategies for these fish and improve their health.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Seenivasan Deepika, Pandurengan Padmavathy, Arasan Srinivasan, Gopalrajan Sugumar, Paulraj Jawahar
Summary: The study found that triclosan has toxic effects on the muscle tissue of Oreochromis mossambicus, including alterations in behavior, protein content, and histology.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lucia Kuhn-Nentwig
Summary: The analysis focused on identifying possible neurotoxins, proteins, and enzymes from spider venom gland transcriptomes. The study reported the first comprehensive analysis of cupiennins in Cupiennius salei, revealing four transcript families responsible for the expression of 179 linear peptides with complex precursor structures.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Martina Francesca Marongiu, Cristina Porcu, Noemi Pascale, Andrea Bellodi, Alessandro Cau, Antonello Mulas, Paola Pesci, Riccardo Porceddu, Maria Cristina Follesa
Summary: The oviducal gland (OG) is a specialized region in the female reproductive system of cartilaginous fish, responsible for producing egg jellies, forming tertiary envelopes, and storing sperm. This study analyzed OGs from cartilaginous fish with different reproductive modalities to better understand their ecology and population dynamics. The microanatomy of OGs shows differences between oviparous and viviparous species, with viviparous species having specialized sperm storage structures.